News, Politics

Nottingham councillor quits as health lead after nine months

By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

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A senior Nottingham councillor has quit as the authority’s health and adult social care lead after nine months in the role.

Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis (Lab), who represents Lenton and Wollaton East, was chosen as Nottingham City Council’s executive member for adult social care and health in May 2024.

He formed part of the council’s new leadership team under Cllr Neghat Khan.

Cllr Kotsonis said he will remain a Labour councillor representing his ward.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I have sent a message to councillors making the point that I felt it was the right thing for me to do.

“I will of course remain the councillor for my ward in Lenton and Wollaton East and continue working hard for residents.”

Cllr Kotsonis previously sat on the Labour-led council’s executive – under former leader Cllr David Mellen – in the position of portfolio holder for leisure and culture, and leisure culture and planning before that.

In his previous role, he had overseen decisions on Nottingham’s libraries and Nottingham Castle.

He previously said he had experienced “many, many sleepless nights” before the council was pressured into a decision to save three libraries from the axe in 2023.

Nottingham Castle was re-opened under his direction, after it returned to the council’s hands upon the collapse of the Nottingham Castle Trust in November 2022.

Nottingham’s new Central Library was also opened the following year.

“In reflection it’s been a very productive period,” Cllr Kotsonis added.

“I am very proud to have led as part of my role in the [executive] on the reopening of the castle as part of the museums service, also the key role I had since the start of the fit-out and then the opening of the new Central Library.

“I still remember the time, the timing, and planning to get this asset open was of key importance and will be so significant for current and future generations of people living in our city.

“Similarly I enjoyed fostering international ties with Vyronas municipality in Greece leading in the [Lord] Byron 200 programme, which took place last year, celebrating the life of a Nottingham rebellious poet who loved Greece and sacrificed himself for Greece – international collaborations continue and I will certainly be there to assist with that.

“In adult social care and public health I had the privilege of working alongside staff committed to our city and keen on driving service improvement.

“I will be now be open to new opportunities in the council and beyond as I step down from my executive position.”

A raft of new savings and cuts, including £17.9m to be delivered next year and £24m over the next four years, were announced by the council in December as it looks to set a balanced budget. Among the proposals are reviews of several adult social care services, including “high-cost” care packages, and eligibility for transport.

A Nottingham Labour Group spokesperson added: “Councillor Kotsonis has previously expressed an intention to not seek reappointment to the cabinet in May, as he wanted to explore options outside of the council, but had to bring that forward due to personal circumstances.”